Rock Star Tours
the Country

In 1893 John G. Maher concocted a hoax
inspired by fossil discoveries.
Maher commissioned a detailed concrete cast of a man, then buried
it north of Chadron. It was "discovered" by a Smithsonian
Institution scientist, who labeled it a petrified man about one
million years old. Before long the petrified man was being exhibited
at fairs and other events throughout the country, until Maher
himself exposed the hoax. The figure was "laid to rest"
in Illinois.